The Giants placed the veteran linebacker and special teams contributor on season-ending injured reserve Saturday as part of their roster cuts to conclude the preseason and set their initial 53-man roster.

The move opened the door for undrafted rookie Calvin Munson to make the club.

Herzlich had not been cleared for full contact since suffering a stinger injury in the Giants' Aug. 5 practice. Herzlich missed all four preseason games this summer, and bounced back and forth between missing practices entirely and participating in a limited capacity.

Despite the missed time, Herzlich logged a team-high 397 snaps on special teams. He failed to register a single tackle, though, according to NFL stats. Herzlich played just 14 linebacker snaps in 2016, but he was part of the Giants' key Week 6 goal line stand in a 27-23 win over the Ravens at MetLife Stadium.

Herzlich was a star linebacker at Boston College. He missed the entire 2009 season after being diagnosed with cancer, but he returned to the field in 2010. He then was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2011, making the club in training camp that year and sticking around since.

Herzlich, who has been active in the community - mainly with the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund, of which he is a board member - had re-signed with the Giants on a one-year deal in March. Herzlich is also a prominent player leader with the NFLPA.